2008 Toyota Tundra: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Aug 6, 2023 · GA

SAIS/emissions system constantly malfunctions and puts the truck into limp mode, making it difficult to drive over 40mph and incredibly dangerous if it occurs while driving. We’ve been trying to fix it for years with no luck, after thousands of dollars. I’m surprised there’s not any class action lawsuits against Toyota for this issue as it’s fairly common in their trucks.

Filed Sep 30, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · LA

My truck drove fine then all of a sudden my check engine, vsc and traction control light came on. I brought it to the shop and the code read P 2440. It is in limp mode and the shifting is sporadic.

Filed Jul 29, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · CO

The air injection pumps went out. Vehicle could not get out of limp mode, was very dangerous as I couldnt get up to speed while merging onto traffic. Had to put hazards on and drive vehicle home under 25mph. Vehicles were going around me. Vehicle is scheduled to be looked at by a dealer, but still recommend this be a safety issue!!

Filed Jun 2, 2019 · Engine · 116,000 miles · CT

Tundra won't accelerate as engine goes into limp mode which restricts speed capability of vehicle. This is related to air injection pump failure and related also to air switching valves. Limp mode on a toyota restricts speed at which you can drive, shifting and top speed are restricted. Slows to point if entering highway or trying to keep up with speed over 50 MPH could not do it. Toyota is aware and has a customer support program ztq buying vehicle used not aware of this or anything about it. I slowed traffic and caused back up on the street was traveling could nit do more than 20-30 MPH on road posted at 50 MPH. Glad not entering freeway. Plenty of u tube videos detailing repair and problem. The toyota documentation says 477,000 tundra vehicles were covered by this enhanced warranty program. Previous owner did complain to toyota and had computer replaced on vehicle.

Filed May 13, 2019 · Engine, Transmission · 120,000 miles · OH

The federal safety agency id #10140591 was the campaign that my truck was warrantied under, I am exactly 64 days outside of toyota's extended warranty and my truck started throwing code p2442 bank 2 secondary air injector valve staying open, a known issue with this truck. I asked toyota only for assistance and not the complete repair and 3 reps flat out said no we did our part. The car was fine yesterday and today started it to go to work and my traction control, 4lo, vsc, engine light were all on, my truck went into "limp mode" toyota USA was useless.

Filed Feb 9, 2019 · Engine · 121,000 miles · TX

I have a 2008 toyota tundra. The secondary air pump failed on my vehicle. I took it to the dealer and was told I would be $3500 to repair. This is known problem with the tundra. I was told by the dealer that toyota had extended the warranty for this but it expired after 10 years or 150,000, I have 121,000. When the pump fails it causes the vehical to go into limp mode. I ran a errand today and the truck ran fine. I went to the store and returned to the truck. I started it and the the vsc light and check engine light came on. As I headed into traffic the vehical would not accelerate to keep up with the traffic and almost got rearended. Toyota should of had a recall on this because it is a safety feature and could cause a serious accident. This air pump is installed on tundras and other models. I bought this truck new in 2008 and have serviced it on the mfg schedule. Since this was a known problem toyota should have replaced the pumps during regular maintenance instead of not doing nothing and hope it does not occur. Even if I replace the pumps what says it won't happen again. I lost confidence in my truck and am afraid it might happen again.

Filed May 16, 2018 · Engine · 151,500 miles · TX

Code p2442 came up on my truck. This code indicates the secondary air injection pumps and valves are going bad on my truck. Also causes the truck to go into limp mode resulting in severe loss of power which can be dangerous in the wrong situation. My research indicates this is a known problem and very expensive to fix. Toyota will not fix the problem if your truck has over 150000mi or 10 years since first use. This affects all tundra and is a known problem. Toyota has extended the warranty on this issue twice, so they know this system is defective. I believe there should be a recall on the affected vehicles.

Filed Jun 13, 2016 · Engine · 154,150 miles · MO

Code 2440. Control valve stuck in air injection pump. Failed for the 2nd time upon startup. First failed at 68k miles early 2013. Toyota replaced it for free. They've had so many fail that they extended the warranty to 10 yr, 150k miles. Then it just failed again at 154k miles. They won't warranty the 2nd one because it's 4k miles out. Even though the part only has 86k miles on it. Cost is $2100 from the dealer! 1200 of that is just the parts. From what I've read this part is only required for the first couple minutes of operation on a cold start. It preheats the catalytic converter so it works better. The epa should be exempting minor discrepencies in their emissions laws while working with manufacturers to develop sensible solutions. In the meantime we get stuck with companies that do a shoddy job designing the system, place it in a terrible location requiring many hours to do the replacement, and then are bound by law (in my state) to maintain the equipment. The truck is in limp mode and is dangerous to drive.....guess I have to shell out the cash. After reading hundreds of complaints on multiple truck forums and experiencing the part to fail twice firsthand, it's obvious this is not an uncommon problem. The csr from toyota acted like they did me a favor by "voluntarily" extending the warranty to 150k miles. No company "voluntarily" does this. I would like for you to consider having them issue a proper recall, exempting the affected make/model years from emissions standards for a failed system which would allow owners to bypass the system legally for about $150 in parts (harness & valve port blocking plates), or pressuring toyota to extend warranty coverage to the part (not the truck) if it fails in the same way. A $2000+ fix on a non-essential component should not be a 75k mile recurring cost.

Filed Apr 12, 2015 · Brakes · 39,460 miles · MT

Started vehicle. Would not shift out of park. Released lock manually and drove to dealer (6 miles). They replaced fusible link and found ABS controller not working. I was told to drive home and they would call 4 days later on availability of used controller ($300 vs $1953). Brakes ok but no ABS. Had same thing happen august 31, 2014. Had the tundra hauled to dealership. Tundra was at the dealership for a month waiting for replacement fusible link. Backordered - out of stock all the way to japan. Toyota had to manufacture more. More than expected demand? Both times warning lights for brake, check engine, ABS, air bag were on. Turn signals and speedometer not working. Dealership told me they had no idea of the cause. Told them low voltage caused this to happen to another vehicle I have. Makes me wonder if there are being truthful with me and if other safety systems may be compromised.

Filed Jun 5, 2013 · Acceleration, Engine · 90,000 miles · MA

Was driving 08 tundra up hill around 20 MPH and cel vss lights came on lo range light flashing on dash truck lost all power. Found out code p2442 secondary air induction system failure put truck into limp mode thousands of dollars in just parts to repair this system. So many people having same problems with same vehicle. Toyota should issue a recall and re engineer a remedy for this poor design at no cost to the consumer. I spent alot of money on a truck to avoid these problems, now I have to drive an unsafe truck stuck in limp mode because I do not have the funds to repair, two thousand in just parts, toyota is charging people 4 to five thousand dollars to repair this problem when it should be recalled at no cost to the consumer due to the poor engineering and faulty design on the secondary air induction system pumps and switching valves......I am very surprised and disappointed in toyota for they have always backed up there product but this is a poor product that they are not backing up when they most certainly should stand behind it. Also this system should be redesigned to put on check engine light but should not put vehicle in limp mode it is a serious safety issue especially when trying to get on the highway etc..... Also the cost and problems of this unneeded system is outrageous, all this system does is force air into the exhaust for the first couple of minutes of engine running at startup. I swore by toyota for over twenty years, not any more , wish I got a chevy.

Filed Jul 24, 2011 · Engine · 149,500 miles · NC

The engine check light came on and the engine went into limp mode, which reduces engine power making it dangerous to drive. The check engine light came on from the emissions valve set failing. When repaired by dealer they also discovered a cracked manifold. This emissions valve set failure seems to be very common on 2008 tundras and is very expensive to repair. To my surprise the manifold was cracked and that is a very expensive repair and may have contributed to the emissions valve set failure. Toyota should recall their emissions valve set and redesign it so it does not fail, and is less expensive to replace, and finally they should not program the engine to go into limp mode if this failure occurs, as it can cause you to lose power while driving in various conditions that require power to get off the road safely.

Filed Mar 24, 2011 · Driver assistance, Transmission · 88,000 miles · LA

We were out of town when 3 lights on the dash appeared. Traction , engine and vsb. No dealership in town where we were. My husband disconnected the battery and it reset. Didn't see the lights for three weeks, just came back on after sitting up all night. Dealership said $600, thank goodness I got extended warranty. When you accelerated to 30mph it would not shift out right. And vehicle would not go over 60mph.